What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dwell
Example
The family dwelled in a small village for many years. [dwell: verb]
Example
His mind often dwells on the past, and he finds it hard to move on. [dwells: third person singular present]
inhabit
Example
The island is inhabited by a tribe of indigenous people. [inhabited: past participle]
Example
Many different species inhabit the rainforest. [inhabit: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inhabit is less common than dwell in everyday language, but it is more formal and has a wider range of applications in scientific or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dwell and inhabit?
Inhabit is more formal than dwell, which is more commonly used in everyday language.
